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Search for missing four-year-old resumes

8:45 AM Thursday Aug 19, 2010

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Gisborne police today resume their search for missing four-year-old Lucas Ward as they grow increasingly concerned for his safety.Lucas has been missing for two nights after he was last seen at his grandmother's home on Graham Rd in the Gisborne suburb of Kaiti about 3pm Tuesday.His grandmother was briefly distracted and when she went back to look for Lucas, he was gone.Sightings were vital in the search for Lucas, Gisborne area commander Inspector Sam Aberahama said yesterday.A police dive squad yesterday joined about 50 people, including police, Land and Marine Search and Rescue, Maori Wardens, and volunteers looking for Lucas.``We are increasingly concerned about Lucas and his wellbeing,'' Mr Aberahama said.He urged all residents, especially those in the Kaiti area, to check their properties for signs of Lucas.``There are many places small and inquisitive children can explore and unwittingly become lost, injured or stuck. We're asking people to have a good look around their sections, search those sheds, garages, boats and other places that kids or crawl into.''Lucas is Caucasian with blond hair. He was wearing navy blue track pants with two orange stripes down both sides and a light blue sweatshirt, and was barefoot.Police are seeking more information about some sightings of children, including a young boy matching Lucas' description, in Kaiti between about 3pm and 5.30pm on Tuesday.They were following up five possible sightings that day, and had asked parents and caregivers to talk with their children to rule them out.Two boys, aged about eight and four, were seen on the corner of Graham Rd and Marian Dr at 3.25pm.

The younger boy had fair hair.At 4.15pm a young boy wearing a green T-shirt was seen walking on Delatour Rd towards Owens Rd.A boy fitting Lucas' description was seen in Martin Park at 4.30pm, and another sighting was reported an hour later.Also about 5.30pm, someone in a vehicle stopped and spoke briefly to a searcher and indicated they saw a boy that could be Lucas in the Tui and Kara Rd area.Mr Aberahama praised the overwhelming response from the Gisborne community.``We have been inundated with offers of help to search and assist in a variety of ways. The community has really rallied on this and Lucas' family is really appreciative.''